An established artist who has been shown at the Tate and the Moma, whom I have known for 75% of my life and adore, said my art was "primitive, but charming in an outsider art sort of way".... and I honestly don't know what to do with that.

I mean, the primitive part is true, I've really only been painting for a couple of years, and I have zero art training outside of wandering the world's museums.

I can't speak to charming.

I know, absolutely know, it was meant as a compliment, and not as a side swipe. I know this person really well, and if they wanted to insult, they are well armed. He was trying to convince me to enter some art shows.

But still, it kinda stings. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I may be too sensitive to be a painter. ;)

#art #painting #insecurity #primitive #outsiderArt

"Tree of Paradise," Séraphine Louis, 1926.

Louis (1864-1942) was a self-taught painter inspired by her own intense religious faith, and stained-glass windows in her local church.

A domestic servant, first at a local convent and later by assorted bourgeois families in the town of Senlis, she painted privately on various objects until 1912, when one of her employers, an art collector, stumbled on her work and was greatly impressed. He encouraged her to work more and supplied paints and canvases for her to work on. She was launched into a world of critical and financial success...but was ill-equipped to handle it and lost most of the money she made.

By 1932 her mental health, which was always wobbly, deteriorated to the point that she had to be institutionalized. She spent the rest of her life in an institution, sadly denied any sort of artistic outlet. Today she is remembered as a significant outsider artist.

From the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

#Art #WomenArtists #OutsiderArt #SeraphineLouis #SelfTaught #SadStory

'Dreams of Hyperion' in New York, New York

A unique collection of figures perform down the facade of the Gene Frankel Theatre.#sculptures #outsiderart #art #theaters #section-Atlas

Wall of Misfit Art in Seattle, Washington

A mesmerizing amount of crazy art is attached to the side of this house on Seattle39;s Phinney Ridge, bringing smiles to those who venture down the driveway to take a look.#eccentrichomes #art #walls #artoutside #outsiderart #section-Atlas

The Real Unreal in Grapevine, Texas

Fall through a crack in the seams of reality at this immersive art installation.#mystery #art #outsiderart #installations #section-Atlas